f-block, subjective question

[acoustic mist]

"In what way are the observed oxidation states of the lanthanoids related to their electronic configuration?"

[brittle bone]

<@&1227988359910260737>

Note for OP

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[acoustic mist]

the answer in my book is "as apparent from the electronic configuration M(3+) oxidation state dominates the chemistry of these elements"

which seems vague and doesn't really answer the question

[floral bane]

2s electrons are lost and one subsquent f electron as well

making it of the form [Xe]4f^n-1

4f orbitals are deeply buried and shielded off well by 5s and 5p electrons so the config is fairly inert

[acoustic mist]

hm oke

yeah that checks out

thanku

[tardy wadi]

Ig isko fact ki tarah yaad rakhna hai

Shayad isi fact ke basis pe question solve hoga

[acoustic mist]

conceptual hai, just needa know how to explain it

as with most board questions

[tardy wadi]

ok bhai 👍🏻

[acoustic mist]

+solved @floral bane